Linda Hay, Kindergarten

Student Quote "I love Mrs. Hay -- she is my favorite teacher ever!"

Favorite Song "East to West" by Casting Crowns

Favorite Verse "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."  Proverbs 3: 5-6

Personal Statement "I always wanted to be a school teacher and when I graduated, God opened the door in a Christian school and He again worked in my life to bring me to HCS."

lin67mik@juno.com

Hometown:  Hollywood, Florida

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Donna Kay VanNote, 1st Grade

Student Quote "I wish I could have had Mrs. VanNote more than once for my teacher!"

Favorite Song(s):  "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Like a River Glorious" (Hymns); Patriotic Songs; the contemporary group Point of Grace; and fun "Oldie Goldies" from the 50's, 60's and 70's.

Favorite Verses:  "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28; "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Phillipians 4:8; "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..." Galatians 5:22 (all NASB referenced)

Personal Statement "I have taught 23 years at HCS in both pre-school and the lower elementary.  (HCS is) a great place to share Jesus and love on kids."

Memorable Educational Moments:  "I was teaching students the difference between an synonym and an antonym.  Just saying those two words is a lesson in itself!  When we were through and my students understood the concept, one child asked, "How do you know so much?"  Another child answered, "She's the teacher, she knows everything!"  I just left it at that.  It was so hard to keep from bursting out laughing.  I have a lot to live up to!"

"Many children are starting to lose their baby teeth in our class.  It's a big event in our room.  One child who just lost a tooth came to me with a serious question, "Is the tooth fairy a grl or a boy?"  I said, "I think it's a girl."  The student said, "I think so too."  Then they asked, "Is she awake at night and sleeps during the day?"  I said, "I think so."  The student responded, "I think so too!"  Off they went to play.  Tooth fairy mission accomplished!"

dktanfan@vistanet.net

Hometown:  Hollywood, Florida

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Jim Smiley, 2nd Grade

Student Quote "Mr. Smiley makes us laugh all the time!"

Favorite Verse "God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings." 1 Peter 4:10

Degrees and Licensure:  Bachelors of Music Education from Olivet College; M.A. in Education from Regent University; ACSI Professional Certificate in Elementary Education

jamespeg2@hotmail.com

Hometown:  Springport, Michigan

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Linda Henley, 3rd Grade

Student Quote "Mrs. Henley is the toughest and best teacher I ever had.  This year is (so much) easier because Mrs. Henley prepared me so well!"

Favorite Songs "How Great Thou Art"; "The Old Rugged Cross"; "Until Then"; "The Longer I Serve Him"; "I Pledge Alligance to the Lamb"; It Is No Secret"; "Farther Along"

Favorite Verse (see below in Personal Statement)

Personal Statement "I had been attending Vacation Bible School and soon realized I needed Christ in my life.  My mom led me to the Lord when I was 7 years old.  Since my dad was the pastor of a very tiny church, I was "drafted" by my parents to help out in Sunday School.  I began my teaching career at the age of 13 with my own Sunday School class.

While a student at Bob Jones University, the Lord impressed upon my heart to become a missionary in whatever field He chose for me.  The Lord led me into Christian school teaching upon graduation from college, and with fall 2008 I am now beginning my 37th year of teaching.

The Lord had used a series of events to lead us here to Heartland Christian School 7 years ago.  In our home, we have a verse that hangs on a wall that is a constant reminder of how I need to have Christ lead and guide my life.  The verse reads as follows: In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."  Proverbs 3:6 

Most Memorable Educational Moment:  A man had stopped me in a store about 10 years ago and thanked me for teaching his two children when they were in K-5. I had not seen the man for several years after I had taught his children.  He reminded me that I made a real difference in both their lives as they had had trouble with reading when they first entered kindergarten. I had one child one year and one the following year.  I in turn asked how they both were doing.  He said his son and daughter were both living in New York. His son was a medical doctor and his daughter an attorney.

It was such a blessing to know I had a small part in their lives when they both were small.  Their parents believed that having their children in a Christian school was important to their education. 

clhenley76@embarqmail.com

Hometown:  Cincinnati, Ohio

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Sara Arnold, 4th Grade

Student Quote "Before I went into Mrs. Arnold's class I was pretty bad at Math.  Now I'm more confident!"

Favorite Song -- The Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto

Favorite Verse "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."  Proverbs 3: 5-6

Personal Statement: "I've been a mother and a wife for almost 20 years.  I have a burden for children to know Christ.  I try to set the examplefor them.  I believe in Christian Education and know God wants we here (at Heartland Christian School)." 

Most Memorable Educational Moment "When I began substituting for public schools I noticed the blank looks in the students' eyes.  They seem to have so little hope in their lives.  Many had repeated grades and went home to an empty house.  I saw the apathy and wondered how I could impact them.  I tried to show them by my actions how Jesus can change lives, but felt I had little freedom in my speech. I wanted to be at a school where I could freely express the love of Jesus.  I desire to tell the students through my teaching how Christ is an essential part in every subject.  I was thrilled when I was offered a position at HCS and hope I show Jesus in my actions and words." 

Alma Mater(s):  Columbia International University (Columbia, SC); Northwestern College (St. Paul, MN)

sjarnold@embarqmail.com

Hometown:  Seoul, South Korea

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Cindy Waters, 5th Grade

Student Quote " Mrs. Waters is my favorite teacher.  I learn so much every day when I am with her"

Favorite Song:  "New Again" by Brad Paisely

Favorite Verse: "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Personal Statement "I am here at HCS because I felt a weighing on my heart to help students and to (be here at) HCS.  I look forward to what the future holds.  I have found that I enjoy teaching and seeing my students progress."

watersbuffalo@embarqmail.com

Hometown:  Wauchula, Florida

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Jan Makemson, part-time Elementary Computer and 2nd and 3rd grade Piano

Personal Statement "I have taught in Christian Schools in Mississippi, Alabama, Iowa and now Florida.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to share Art, Music, PE and Computer (lab) with so many precious children, but the greatest opportunity has been to share the Gospel and Bible principles with them (my students)."

Favorite Verse(s):  "37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:37-39 (NASB)

jmakemson@juno.com

Hometown:  Mt. Clemens, Michigan

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Sharon Selander, part-time Elementary Spanish

Favorite Verse: "Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

selanderska@embarqmail.com

Hometown:  Greenville, Ohio

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